February 2020
The Library will be closed Monday, February 17 for Presidents' Day.
New Director of Special Collections & Archives at the Champaign County Historical Archives
Congratulations to Donica Martin, who starts the New Year as director of the Archives!

Donica will be a familiar face to many of you as she has worked in the Archives for the past five years as an Archives Librarian.

Donica holds an MLS from the University of Kentucky and an MA in English Literature from Eastern Illinois University. 

Contact her at dmartin@urbanafree.org .
Recently Processed Special Collections:
Countryside United Methodist Church Records, 1914-1990
The roots of Countryside United Methodist Church trace back to Philo United Methodist Church, Sidney United Methodist Church, and several smaller worship communities, including Alice Chapel, Lost Grove, Pleasant Hill, and Morris Chapel. Population growth in the late 1800s, combined with the relative difficulty of transportation contributed to the numerous small, rural chapels and churches. As automobiles made transit easier in the new century, families began attending church in the growing towns causing smaller churches to merge.
 
The collection contains various materials and records that document the activities and history of four different churches: Sidney United Methodist Church, Philo United Methodist Church, Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, and Countryside United Methodist Church. The bulk of the material is from Sidney United Methodist Church and Philo United Methodist Church. The records include treasurer account books, quarterly conference reports, class programs, meeting minutes for the Church’s board, and various groups and classes, including Golden Rule class, Ladies Aid, Sunday school board, United Methodist Men, and Women’s Society of Christian Service.
Methodist Church, Sidney, IL, circa 1905
Pleasant Hill Methodist Church, Raymond Township, circa 1900
Did you know?
We have school directories from 1917-1973? These directories are a great historical resource. They include names and addresses of every teacher in Champaign County. Come in and have a look!
Donations of books, photographs, postcards, family papers, and organizational records documenting the history of Champaign County are always welcome. Contact Archives staff at 217-367-4025 or archives@urbanafree.org
From the Blog
Counting down to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Toyko? Get in the spirit by looking back at the Prairie State Games, Illinois' short-lived annual Olympic-style games.


Major General Edwin W. Robertson had an extensive military career that took him all over the globe in his 34 years of active duty. He served in the 7th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Japan during the Korean War in June 1950 and flew over 218 combat hours. He also served during Vietnam and completed 500 combat hours were he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Legion of Merit. The General dedicated many years to his education with his training beginning at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas then to the Royal Air Force Staff College in England and the National War College. T his devotion to learning and training with the Air Force is evident in Robertson’s legacy with Chanute Air Force Base, which began when he embraced the role of Commander of Chanute Technical Training Center in July of 1976.

While at Chanute, Robertson engaged with the training programs, honored the history of the servicemen and women, and implemented policies and funding on the Base to benefit all. Unfortunately, much of his three-year career at Chanute was overshadowed by threats of downsizing of military bases in the 1970s. During this time, he focused on boosting morale and educating trainees to show the value of Chanute.

In an 1988 interview with Don Weckhorst , General Robertson emphasized the vitality of the Non-commissioned Officer's (NCO) Club. According to Robertson, the establishment of the annual NCO Parade in 1976 built “an NCO's sense of responsibility and prestige” as the “NCOs really should and do run Chanute.” This involvement with the NCOs made Robertson a vital figure to many on Base due to his accessibility and concern for the people he supported. He knew “how to get the best out of his people.” Robertson also boasted that he “never enjoyed an assignment anywhere in the United States better than the one (at Chanute)” because of the on-base sense of community as well as the “relationships with the political, educational, and religious leaders in the local area.” The impact of this relationship with the Rantoul community is seen throughout the Chanute collection, particularly records of community groups and movements against the Base closure. Major General Robertson dedicated his time at Chanute to the community and left a lasting impact of success at the Air Force.

Major General Edwin W. Robertson   died December 18, 2019.
Think You Know Champaign-Urbana?
Try our trivia quiz
Q.   Why was the original tower of the current Champaign County Courthouse removed?
Events at the Archives & Beyond
  • CCGS in the New Decade, Champaign County Genealogical Society, Tuesday, February 11, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | The Jean Evans Archives Room (Second Floor), The Urbana Free Library

  • Research Night with Champaign County Genealogical Society, Wednesday, February 12, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | The Jean Evans Archives Room (Second Floor), The Urbana Free Library



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